thegarse

Last visit to the doctor, the tech said that my battery was low and may need to be replaced. An elderly lady who was also in the waiting area said that they told her the same thing a year ago and she's had no issues. Should I be worried, they also said my rear brakes were at the factory limit, Does that mean 6 more months?

-Mike

PsychoInDenial

What year is your car and what's your mileage? Have you had any of your brakes changed yet?

thegarse

Haven't had any brakes changed. `04 with 33k miles. I guess that would have helped.

PsychoInDenial

Your brakes might be due for a change, the rear ones tend to give out quicker than the front for some reason, you might want to consider getting some aftermarket ones. Do a search on here on brakes. A lot of members including myself went with the Hawk GPS. Your battery might too be low since I've heard a lot of members complain on here that the batteries are crap. Do a search on that too and you should come up with a lot.

Daffunda

Time to change for some optima batteries.

Also time to swap em out to hawk pads

EuRTSX

Optima Battery FTW.

Still Water

Ditto! Got 'em both, did 'em both. Better to do it a little early than too late.

jwood_06TSX

I had an 04 and when i took it in for the 40k service they told me that my battery was low as well and that my brakes could use it too. I would change the battery out and brakes if you have the money, if not, then wait a little bit but they'll need it soon. I had Acura just put the battery in cause it was only $70 installed and they gave me a warranty on it based on mileage so check with them on that, otherwise get the Optima

moda_way

DITTO x2 , except I think 1 Optima battery will do the trick.

markm929

Which optima battery "works" for the TSX?

TSXnTEX

Hmm...how old was the lady?

TSXWilly

Went to the dealership for a strange battery problem like this - I have an '04 TSX with *cough* 62k miles on it.

The battery was the stock Panasonic battery and I was told that these particular batteries they've had a problem with in the past. The cold cranking amps are set at 410Amps but when I got it tested, it was around 330Amps. The voltage was fine ~13V (should be around 14V) but there was something strange going on there.


So ... yeah, change the battery =)

jlukja

My TSX is in today for its 30Kmi. service. Just got a call from the service advisor. Everything is hunky dory except for the battery. He said its cranking a little weak (I never thought it did) and offered to have it replaced for $125 . He said it could go tomorrow or 3-4 months from now.

With that setup I have a couple of questions:
Which Optima battery are you guys talking about? model no.? link?
How much does this Optima cost?
Can I pick up a replacement OEM for less? and where?

LuvMyTSX

I've been wondering the same things, because I might replace my battery in the fall. It was taking a loooong time to crank last winter and I don't want to be left anywhere in the cold. Battery was fine at the last check, but I'd rather not take my chances.

An Optima battery sounds good, but I read on here somewhere that they are a little too big or something? What's the deal with that? I want something that will just go right in with no problems since I don't know how to install it myself and will need a mechanic to do it for me.

jlukja

OK, after some research, the 04 OEM battery is 51R 410Amp, but the replacement OEM battery is 500Amp. My local HONDA dealer carries this same battery (it fits the CR-V) for $86.00 + tax + $9core. The Part No. (Acura & Honda) is 31500-SR1-100M. I think I may just buy the replacement OEM from Honda.

LuvMyTSX

Nice find. I may go that route as well. Thanks for the part # jamalamadingdong.

timd38

The problem with the batteries is that the cars are shipped from Japan and the batteries are allowed to discharged. We make Genuine Honda and Acura replacement batteries, as well as Optima and Honda OE batteries (most but not all) and transportation is tough on the battery. The TSX does not come with our batteries because they come from Japan and our closest plant is in India or China.

jlukja

Turns out the parts dept. at my local Acura dealer sells the same battery for the same price, i.e. $86. I guess the $125 estimate included labor. I can buy myself a nice steak dinner with the $44 I won't be spending...